Carnival Imagination 4nt Mini Review Inclu Circle C Schedule

[Stacycee]

I know there are not too many reviews on the 4 night Imagination, so I wanted to add a mini review since I was sailing with 2 small kids. On this Thanksgiving cruise was myself (35), my parents (my mom would kill me if I put her age) and my kids, DD 5 and DS 2.

 

CABIN:

We booked my DS and I in 1 cabin and my parents and DD a few doors down. We booked a 6A guarantee and ended up exactly with that. The cabins R212 and R228, just a few doors down from each other and very quiet. I had reserved a crib ahead of time and called Carnival to confirm it would be there when we arrived. It wasn’t, but once I saw the cabin steward he provided one. In the triple cabin my DD slept on the bunk bed which came down from the wall and LOVED it. I used the shelf under the TV to keep the diapers readily available and then I was still able to use all the other space. I brought an umbrella stroller and it wasn’t too hard to move around in the cabin with it open.

 

 

CHECK-IN:

 

We live about 45 minutes from the port and arrived about 12:30pm. The line was quite long, but once 1:00pm came it moved quickly. I had brought a notarized letter that I can travel alone with my kids, but they never asked for it. Of course if I didn’t have it, they would ask for it, so I’m glad I had it. All the adults and my DD have passports and we used my DS birth certificate which was fine.

 

FOOD:

 

We had late seating for 8:15 every night. We ate 3 nights in the dining room and we all enjoyed the food. One night we ate at the buffet and the selection seemed very limited. It was nice having milk/chocolate milk available all the time. They provided Rubbermaid high chairs, but they did not have a tray. Most of the tables were different heights so the high chair never really lined up for DS to eat off his plate the proper way. We made it work, but just keep that in mind. It just made for slightly messier meals. LOL The last night we let the kids eat with the Circle C staff in the buffet. My DD said they both enjoyed it. They provided typical kids food.

 

ENTERTAINMENT:

We never made it to any shows. It seemed a couple times they conflicted with our dinner, although we did catch the end one night. We did play bingo, but sadly didn’t win. We played in the casino nightly and I came back even, so I guess it could have been worse. One night I did check out the disco but it was practically empty at 11pm. The disco is 18 and over and I was carded walking in, so that made my night. My DD loved the slides and went on all 3 over and over and over…..She also loved the pool. The Jacuzzi’s looked like kid stew. I have never seen so many kids in 1 Jacuzzi. She played mini golf for the first time also and enjoyed that.

Circle C:

 

I had 2 kids in Circle C. The age group is 2-5. My DS is 2 and DD is 5. I was happy they were together, but my DD was probably a little too old for some of the activities. She did enjoy it though. They went nightly for about 1-2 hours and then during the day for about the same. I was given a phone to be reached but was only called when my DD was hungry. They change diapers, so I just provided a bag with diapers and wipes, so that was nice not having to go and change my DS. Overall I think they really enjoyed it.

 

Disembarkation:

 

We were not in any rush to get off the ship. We had an assigned time of 11am and they called our number about 1030am. We took our time eating b’fast and then just let the kids play in an empty lounge. We were in the car by 10:45am and home by 11:30. It was one of the easiest disembarkations ever.

 

Misc:

We are elite with Princess, so of course can’t help comparing Carnival and Princess. I hadn’t been on Carnival since ’99 so it had been awhile. I was pleasantly surprised with the ship. Yes the ship is smaller and older, but it looks good. I just wish Carnival would change to how Princess does the muster drill. I was not expecting it to be so long on Carnival. Having an ACTIVE 2 year old made it interesting. My daughter cried the when we were leaving the ship and said “this is the worst day ever”. I think I have a cruiser on my hands! I am already researching the next one with the kids. I have the schedule from Circle C and a picture of the crib provided that I will try to attach here. Hope it works. Let me know if anyone has any questions.

 

Stacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stacycee]

I also have the fun times I can scan if anyone wants to see them.

[LBumb]

thanks

[redmangoshoes]

Thank you for posting this! I'm traveling with my 4 year old DD and 17 mos old DS over Xmas break on this cruise.

 

Did you bring the crib cover or was that provided? Was the crib mattress firm or hard? Was there enough room in your room for the crib? Did it feel cramped? Thank you!

[Stacycee]

Thank you for posting this! I'm traveling with my 4 year old DD and 17 mos old DS over Xmas break on this cruise.

 

Did you bring the crib cover or was that provided? Was the crib mattress firm or hard? Was there enough room in your room for the crib? Did it feel cramped? Thank you!

 

The crib and cover was provided. I had the beds pushed together and then the crib against the wall on the other side of the shower. It originally was under the bunk bed in our room which would give more room to walk around, but if my DS stood up he would hit his head so I moved it and it was fine. The mattress was kind of like pack n play mattress.

 

Have a great cruise!

[jerseygirlinAZ]

Thanks for the review! BF and I are traveling on the Imagination for New Years.

[Stacycee]

Thanks for the review! BF and I are traveling on the Imagination for New Years.

 

Have a great time! :)

[Linda the Book Lover]

Thanks for including the Kids club activities as I always wondered what went on during the day and if my DGD would like it. She would be in an older group but this gave me a general idea of how a day would progress.

[MMPERRY2006]

I also have the fun times I can scan if anyone wants to see them.

 

Yes please! I'm concerned about the opening time on sea day and if it will conflict with the behind the fun tour.

[mousey]

You didn't mention how you liked the ports or what you did in them. Did you disembark in Ensenada?

[ssolomon56]

The Circle C program is for young teens age 12-14 NOT young children. There seems to be some confusion. Camp Carnival is for the youngsters

 

http://www.carnival.com/onboard/circle-c